Sofa bed construction



March 5, 1957 P. P. BEBRY 2,783,478

SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 13, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/Ei 0 INVENTOR Pars? P. flea/av BY flwwm ATTORNEYS March 5, 1957 P. P. BEBRY SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 15, 1953 KM YW A'n okNEYs March 5, 1957 P. P. BEBRY I 2,733,478

SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 13, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Pena? R 8684/ W/MW ATTORN EYS March 5, 1957 P. P. BEBRY 2,783,478

SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 13; 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOYR PETEREBEERV BY MM ATTORNEYS SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION Peter P. Bebry, Bayonne, N. J., assignor to Bebry Bedding Corporation, Bayonne, N. J., a corporation of New York Application November 13, 1953, Serial No. 391,885

4 Claims. (Cl. --13) I structure of foldable frame by which undue sagging of the spring is prevented so as to provide a more comfortable bed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a foldable frame which is constructed to eliminate inward flexing of the opposite sides thereof when weight is imposed on the wire mesh spring so as to prevent undue saggin of the spring. I

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting and stabilizing the foldable frame intermediate the ends thereof, which means include two pairs of legs hingedly connected with one of the intermediate sections of the frame and which are swingable into close relation therewith when in collapsed condition within the furniture frame.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a foldable frame of said character having a pillow rest which is disposed above the mattress at the inner end of the foldable frame so as to prevent the pillows from falling off the end of the mattress when the article of furniture is used as a bed and which is movable from an upstanding relation to an out-of-the-way position with the movement of the foldable frame into collapsed relation within the furniture frame.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, reference is now made to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an article of furniture provided with a foldable frame constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the foldable frame in elevation and the furniture frame in vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the foldable frame shown in partially collapsed relation and the furniture frame in vertical section.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the foldable frame being inserted in the furniture frame.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the foldable frame in fully collapsed relation within the furniture frame.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the inner end of the foldable frame showing the pillow rest.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the pillow rest in partially collapsed relation.

Fig. 8 is a view thereof showing the inner end of the foldable frame and the pillow rest in fully collapsed relation.

nited States Patent 0 2,783,478 Patented Mar. 5, 1957 on line 9--9 of Fig. 2.

The article of furniture is of the type which provides a couch, sofa, love seat and the like inone position and a full-sized bed in another position thereof. For this purpose the article of furniture includes a furniture frame it) and a foldable metallic frame 11 consisting of a plurality of hi ngedly connected sections arranged in end to endrelation and movable from an aligned relation for supporting a mattress so as to provide a full-sized bed to a collapsed folded relation within the furniture frame for supporting one or more seat cushions so as to serve as a couch, sofa, love seat and the like.

The foldable metallic frame is composed of four sec tions, an inner section 12 which is swingably connected with the furniture frame, a relatively long intermediate section 13, a short intermediate section 14, and an outer end section 15. The sections are arranged for swinging movement to dispose the inner section in upright re lation within the furniture frame adjacent the rear thereof and with the short intermediate section in upright relation adjacent the front of the furniture frame. This disposes the long intermediate section and outer end section in substantially horizontal relation with the outer end section arranged uppermost for supporting one or more seatcushions thereon. a g

Each of the sections are of angle iron construction, the inner section 12 including spacedside rails 16 and 17 which are connected together at their inner ends by a cross bar 18. The long intermediate section '13 consists of side rails 19 and 26, which are pivotally connected to the side rails 16 and 17 by pivot pins 21 extending through the vertical fianges thereof. The short intermediate section 14 is composed of side rails 22 and 23 which are pivotally connected to the side rails 19 and 20 of the long intermediate section 13 by pivot pins 24 extending through the vertical flanges thereof, and the outer end section 15 consists of side rails 25 and 26 which are pivotally connected to the side rails 22 and 23' of the short intermediate section 14 by pivot pins 27. The side rails 25 and 26 are connected together at their outer ends by a cross bar 28. A wire mesh spring 30 of any desiredconstruction is connected with and stretched between the side rails and cross bars of the foldable frame for supporting a mattress M thereon and the spring and mattress are adapted to fold with the foldable frame into collapsed relation within the furniture frame and to retain the mattress in folded relation between the sections thereof.

A feature of the foldable frame is the arrangement of legs which in addition to supporting the frame, function to maintain the side rails of the sections in fixed spaced apart relation so as to maintain the spring in taut condition and prevent sagging thereof. For this purpose the foldable frame is provided with three pairs of legs 32, 33 and 34. The legs 32 are pivoted at their upper ends on pivot pins 35 to depending lugs 36 riveted or otherwise aflixed to the vertical flanges of the side rails of the long intermediate section 13, adjacent the inner end thereof so as to dispose the said legs close to the front of the furniture frame when the foldable frame is in extended bed forming relation. This arrangement of the legs 32 renders it possible to reduce the depthv of the furniture frame or the distance from the front to rear thereof in order that the article of. furniture is comfortable when used as a couch, sofa, love seat and the like. The said legs 32 are rigidly connected. together so as to pre vent outward spreading or inward flexing thereof by upper and lower cross bars 37 and 38-.

The legs 33 are pivoted. at their upper ends on pivot pins 39 to depending lugs 40 riveted or otherwiseaffined to the vertical flanges of the side rails of the long intermediate section 13 adjacent the outer end thereof. The legs 33 are rigidly connected together so as to prevent outward spreading or inward flexing thereof by upper and lower cross bars 41 and 42.

The legs 34 are pivoted on pivot pins 44 to the vertical flanges of the side rails of the outer end section 15 adjacent the outer end thereof.

The legs 32 and 33 are swingable into substantially parallel relation with the long intermediate section 13 and the legs 34 are foldable into substantially parallel relation with the outer end section 15 by the folding of the foldable frame. For this purpose, the upper ends of the legs 34 project above the outer end section and are pivotally connected to links on pivot pins 46 respectively with the inner ends of the links pivotally connected against the inner faces of the vertical flanges-of the side rails of the short intermediate section 14.

One of the legs of each pair of legs 32 and 33 is pivotally connected with a linkage structure at each side which linkage structure at each side has swinging movement about a pivotal point 47. Each linkage structure includes a bent link 48 pivoted at its lower end to one of the legs 33 on a pivot pin 49 and at its upper end the said link is pivoted to the upper end of a bent link 50 on a pivot pin 51. A straight link 52 is pivoted at its lower end on a pivot pin 53 to one of the legs 32 and at its upper end the said link is pivoted on a pivot pin 54 to the projecting end of a bent link 95. The link 50 is pivoted to a bent link 55 on a pivot pin 56, the pivotal connection on the pivot pin 56 being located substantially midwaybetween the pivotal connections on the pivot pins 51 and 59. The bent link 55 is pivoted at its outer end to the inner face of the, vertical flange of one of the side rails of the long intermediate section 13 on a pivot pin 57 and at its inner end the said link is pivoted to a bent link 58 on a pivot pin 59, the latter link being pivoted on a pivot pin 60 to the vertical flange of one of the side rails of the inner section 12. The link 58 projects beyond the pivot pin 60 and is pivoted at its outer end to a link 61 on a pivot pin 62 and at its inner end the said link is pivoted on a pivot pin 63 to an angulated link 64 which is pivoted to the inner section and to the furniture frame for swinging movement about pivot pins 65 and 66 respectively for disposing the inner section in substantially vertical relation. The lower end of the bent link 50 is rigidly afi'ixed to a short bar 67 which is pivoted to the furniture frame on one of the pivot pins 47. The bar 67 is tensioned by springs 68 connected at their ends to brackets 69 and 70 which are pivoted respectively to the upper ends of the bar 67 on a pivot pin 71 and to a manually adjustable hand lever 72 on a pivot pin 73. The hand lever 72 is pivoted to the furniture frame on a pivot pin 74 and is adjustable for varying the tension on the springs.

Another feature of the foldable frame is the provision of a pillow rest under which the inner end of. the mattress projects and which is adapted to constitute an abutment forpreventing the pillows from falling off the end of thefoldable frame when the same is used as a bed. The pillow. rest includes a panel 75 extending across the inner section 12 adjacent the inner end thereof and which is of a width to constitute an abutment against which the pillow maybe disposed. The said panel is affixed at its ends to side brackets 76 which are secured to side members 77 pivoted to the vertical flanges of the side rails of the inner section 12 on pivot pins 73. The side members 77 are disposed in upright relation when the foldable frame is .in bed forming relation and are provided with cam edges 79 respectively which are engaged by lugs 8ft projecting inwardly from the links. 61. SpringsSI-secured .totthe upper ends of the side members 77. and to the links 64 retain the said members in tensioned engagement against the lugs. When the foldable frame is moved fromthe-extended bed forming relation to a collapsed relation within the furniture frame, the lugs 80 move over the cam edges 79 to swing the side members 77 together with the panel 75 from the upstanding relation shown in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings, to the inclined relation shown in Figs. 5 and 8.

The legs 32, 33 and 34 are provided with rollers 82, 83 and 84 respectively for facilitating movement of the foldable frame. The legs 34 are formed with notches 85 for engagement with lugs 86 projecting outwardly from the side rails 25 and 26 when the said legs are folded in collapsed relation with the outer end section. The furniture frame 10 includes a movable front panel P which is pivotally connected with links 87 and 88 to dispose the same in horizontal relation when the foldable frame is in bed forming relation. The links 87 are pivotally connccted on pivot pins 89 with the vertical flanges of the side rails 25 and 26 of the outer end section and the links 88 are pivotally connected on pivot pins 90 to depending lugs 91 riveted or otherwise aflixed to the side rails 22 and 23 of the short intermediate section 14. Links 92 are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the links 88 on pivot pins 93 and at their upper ends the said links are pivotally connected on pivot pins 94 to the outer ends of the links 95. The links 95 are pivotally connected to the vertical flanges of the side rails 19 and 20 of the long intermediate section 13 on pivot pins 96 adjacent the pivotal connections of said links with the links 52 respectively. Links 97 are pivotally connected at their inner ends to the links 95 on pivot pins 98 respectively and at their outer ends the said linksare pivotally connected on pivot pins 99 to the vertical flanges of the side rails 22 and 23 of the short intermediate section 14.

Constructed in this manner, the foldable frame 11 is movable from the extended bed forming relation shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, to the collapsed folded relation shown in Fig. 5. In moving the foldable frame the extended bed forming relation to the collapsed relation within the furniture frame 10, the outer end section 15 is swung upwardly and into overlying substantially parallel relation with the long intermediate section 13 and with the short intermediate section disposed vertically therebetween as shown in Fig. 3. By this movement the legs 34 are swung into parallel relation with the outer end section and the panel P is swung into adjacent parallel relation with the short intermediate section 14. The long intermediate section-is then raised to tilt the same into inclined relation which is then moved inwardly and downwardly in the furniture frame 10 as shown in Fig. 4. Further downward swinging movement disposes the foldable frame in completely collapsed relation within the furniture frame as shown in Fig. 5. By the aforesaid swinging movement the legs 32 and 33 are moved toward each other into parallel relation beneath the long intermediate section 13 as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. This folding of the legs 32 and 33 towards the long intermediate section 13 allows the legs to clear the fixed front panel F. With the aforesaid movement of the inner section 12 into upright relation, the lugs 80 engage the cam faces 79 of the side members 77 for swinging the panel 75 into the out-of-the-way inclined position shown in Figs. 5 and 8 of the drawings.

What is claimed is:

1. In an article of furniture of the character described, a furniture frame, a foldable frame composed of pivotally connected sections consisting of an inner section, a long intermediate section, a short intermediate section and an outer end section, means pivotally connecting the inner section with the furniture frame for swinging movement thereof to dispose the same in upright relation when the foldable frame is moved from extended bed forming relation to folded relation within the furniture frame, two pairs of legs pivotally connected with the long intermediate section, cross members affixed to the legs of each pair rigidly connecting the legs of each pair together and preventing inward movement thereof,

a linkage structure consisting of two pivotally connected links, one of which links is pivotally connected with one of the intermediate sections and the other of which links is pivotally connected with the other intermediate section and projects beyond the pivotal connection with said last mentioned intermediate section, and a link pivotally connected at one end to the projecting portion of said last mentioned link and pivotally connected at the other end with a leg of one of said pairs of legs for swinging the pair of legs to which said last mentioned link is pivotally connected from supporting relation to parallel relation with the long intermediate section by the movement of the outer end and short intermediate sections into folded relation, and a second linkage structure consisting of two pivotally connected links, one of which links is pivotally connected with the inner section and the other of which links is pivotally connected with the long intermediate section, a link pivotally connected to one of said last mentioned links and with the furniture frame, and a link pivotally connected with said last mentioned link and pivotally connected to a leg of the other pair for swinging the said other pair of legs from supporting relation with said foldable frame to parallel relation with the long intermediate section by the movement of the foldable frame from extended relation into collapsed relation within the furniture frame.

2. In an article of furniture of the character described, a furniture frame, a foldable frame composed of pivotally connected sections consisting of an inner section, a long intermediate section, a short intermediate section and an outer end section, means pivotally connecting the inner section with the furniture frame for swinging movement thereof to dispose the same in upright relation when the foldable frame is moved from extended bed forming relation to folded relation within the furniture frame, two pairs of legs pivotally connected with the long intermediate section, cross members aflixed to the legs of each pair rigidly connecting the legs of each pair together and preventing inward movement thereof, a linkage structure consisting of two pivotally connected links which are pivotally connected at their ends with two adjacent sectionsv respectively and a link pivotally connected at one end to one of the links of said pivotally connected links and pivotally connected at its other end with a leg of one of said pairs of legs for swinging the pair of legs to which said last mentioned link is pivotally connected from supporting relation to parallel relation with the long intermediate section by the movement of the outer end and short intermediate sections into folded relation, and a second linkage structure consisting of pivotally connected links which are pivotally connected at their ends with two adjacent sections respectively, a link pivotally connected to one of said last mentioned pivotally connected links and with the furniture frame, and a link pivotally connected with said last mentioned link and to a leg of the other pair of legs for swinging said other pair of legs from upright relation supporting said foldable frame in extended relation to parallel relation with the long intermediate section by the movement of the foldable frame from extended relation into collapsed relation within the furniture frame.

3. In an article of furniture of the character described, a furniture frame, a foldable frame composed of pivotally connected sections consisting of an inner section, a long intermediate section, a short intermediate section and an outer end section, means pivotally connecting the inner section with the furniture frame for swinging movement thereof to dispose the same in upright relation when the foldable frame is moved from extended bed forming relation to folded relation within the furniture frame, two pairs of legs pivotally connected with the long intermediate section, cross members affixed to the legs of each pair rigidly connecting the legs of each pair together and preventing inward movement thereof, a linkage structure consisting of two pivotally connected links which are pivotally connected with the intermediate sections and a link pivotally connected with one of said pivotally connected links and with a leg of one of said pairs of legs for swinging the pair of legs to which said last mentioned link is pivotally connected from supporting relation to parallel relation with the long intermediate section by the movement of the outer end and short intermediate sections into folded relation, and a second linkage structure consisting of two pivotally connected links which are pivotally connected with the inner and long intermediate sections respectively, a link pivotally connected with one of the links of said last mentioned pivotally connected links and with the furniture frame, and a link pivotally connected with said last mentioned link and with a leg of the other pair of legs for swinging said'other pair of legs from upright relation supporting the intermediate portion of the foldable frame in extended relation to parallel relation with one of the intermediate sections by the movement of the foldable frame from extended relation into collapsed relation within the furniture frame.

4. In an article of furniture of the character described, a furniture frame, a foldable frame composed of pivotally connected sections consisting of an inner section, a long intermediate section pivotally connected with said inner section and protruding from the furniture frame when the sections are in bed forming relation, 21 short intermediate section pivotally connected with the long intermediate section, and an outer section pivotally connected to said short intermediate section, means pivotally connecting the inner section with the furniture frame for swinging movement thereof to dispose the foldable frame into folded relation within the furniture frame, a pair of legs pivotally connected with the long intermediate section adjacent the furniture frame when in bed forming relation, a second pair of legs pivotally connected with the long intermediate section adjacent the outer end thereof, cross members aflixed to the legs of each pair rigidly connecting the legs of each pair together and preventing inward movement thereof, a linkage structure consisting of two pivotally connected links, one of which links is pivotally connected with the short intermediate section and the other of which links is pivotally connected with the long intermediate section and projects beyond the pivotal connection with said last mentioned intermediate sect-ion, and a link pivotally connected at one end to the projecting portion of said last mentioned link and pivotally connected at the other end with a leg of one of said pairs of legs for swinging the pair of legs to which said last mentioned link is pivotally connected from supporting relation to parallel relation with the long intermediate section by the movement of the outer end and short intermediate sections into folded relation, and a second linkage structure consisting of two pivotally connected links, one of which links is pivotally connected with the inner section and the other of which links is pivotally connected with the long intermediate section, a link pivotally connected to the first mentioned link of said second linkage structure and with the furniture frame, and a link pivotally connected with said last mentioned link and pivotally connected to a leg of the other pair of legs for swinging said other pair of legs from supporting relation with said long intermediate section to parallel relation therewith by the movement of the foldable frame from extended relation into collapsed relation within the furniture frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,007,988 Thomas July 16, 1935 2,624,888 Bebry Jan. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 790,185 France Sept. 2, 1935 816,699 France May 10, 1937 

